Month: May 2015

Mexican-American Flags

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Today is Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday that is celebrated more in the United States than in its country of origin: a Mexican-American holiday more than either a Mexican or American one.  How can Mexican-American-ness be expressed through flags?  Most commonly, of course, the Mexican flag is used for this purpose, often in conjunction with… Continue reading Mexican-American Flags

May the Fourth Be With You

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Happy Star Wars Day! The caption for this reads: This photograph from what is estimated to be 1944 supports the previous evidence we've presented of Imperial involvement in earth's conflicts. These soldiers atop a conquored building are securing a flag bearing a modified Imperial symbol. Rumors exist of AT-ATs and AT-STs marching all over eastern Europe during World War… Continue reading May the Fourth Be With You

Rihanna: American Oxygen

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In Rihanna's latest music video, the Barbadian immigrant uses imagery of the American flag to unpack its meaning in terms of American dreams and nightmares, ultimately declaring "this is the new America / we are the new America".  Jake Flanagin in Quartz calls it "a surprisingly powerful statement on immigration" (surprising given Rihanna's reputation for non-political dance music);… Continue reading Rihanna: American Oxygen